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Center for Large Landscape Conservation

CLIMATE challenge: Bigger and Hotter Fires

Grant award: $203,500; Year Awarded: 2019

The people of Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) in North Central Montana have identified forest restoration as a climate adaptive strategy to ensure that ecosystem function, biodiversity, and irreplaceable cultural sites are protected in both the short and long term. This project aims to increase forest resilience and protect carbon sink capacity in the Little Rocky Mountains by restoring ponderosa pine forests and applying adaptive management techniques such as forest thinning and monitoring. Rooted in the customs and practices of the Aaniih and Nakoda ways of life, this project leverages western science and traditional knowledge to improve forest health and reduce the risk of devastating wildfire.